19 September 2017

RAIL UNION RMT confirmed today that guards and driver members on Southern Rail will take further strike action in the on-going dispute in defence of the role of the guard, the extension of DOO and the guarantee of a second safety-critical member of staff on Southern services.

RMT’s NEC has considered this matter again today and due to the failure of both the Government and GTR respond to the RMT call for round table talks to resolve the dispute has instructed Southern guards and driver members not to book on for any shifts that commence between 0001 and 2359 on Tuesday 3rd October and Thursday 5th October.

Mick Cash, RMT General Secretary, said:

“RMT is bitterly disappointed that Southern Rail and the DFT continue to reject our call for round table discussions involving all parties with an interest in resolving this dispute. The failure to get those talks moving following our face to face meeting with Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has left us no option but to call further action.

“RMT pays tribute to our Southern Rail guards and drivers who have stood firm for 18 months in the fight for rail safety despite outrageous abuse and intimidation from the company. They are a credit to their communities and to the whole trade union movement as they continue to take action for safety in Britain’s longest running industrial dispute.

“RMT has a clear plan for resolving this dispute but that requires round table talks now to push forwards. This fiasco cannot be allowed to drag on any longer. The union stands ready and waiting for genuine and meaningful talks with all parties and we are pressing Mr Grayling to get his contractors into line as a matter of urgency.”